WAYZATA COMMUNITY CHURCH inspire the world In this issue Celebrations & Transitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 John Ross: Rearview or Windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Report from The Moderator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Raise the Roof! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Summer Camp, WCCNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Blanket Drive, Housing Task Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Allen Hilton: A Christmas Oratorio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 GSET: Prophetability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Volume 36, Number 1 l January 2014 inspire the world with the inclusive love of Jesus BY WHEELOCK WHITNEY Reflections When J.R. asked me if my wife, Kathleen, and I would be Hon- orary Chairpersons of a capital funds drive for our church, I was hesitant. I told him that at 87 , I’ve retired from fund raising. He asked me to think about it before making a final decision. So I did. I remembered that I’ve had a long, satisfying, and happy relationship with the Wayzata Community Church. It began in 1945 when my parents moved from St. Cloud to Wayzata and joined the church. My sister, Sally, was married to George Pillsbury in January, 1947 , in the original church which was across the street from where we are now. Everett Sorenson was the minister. My four children were baptized, went to Sunday school, and were confirmed in this church. I’ve been a Trustee and was once chairman for the Annual Giving Drive. I’ve known and been good friends with each of the five Senior Ministers who have served our church. I thought about my mother, how much she loved this church, and never missed a Sunday service. I thought about my four children growing up in this church. I thought about my wed- ding to Kathleen in this church. I thought about how PROUD I am of our church, how well it serves our members and the Wayzata community. I considered how much I appreciate the leadership of John Ross and the high quality of the staff he’s assembled. I thought about how much I like the sermons and the music at our church. I told this all to Kathleen and she asked me how I could pos- sibly say “No”—and that she would be proud to join me. And guess what? I said “Yes” to J.R. and I’ve felt good about it ever since. This church has been my spiritual base for nearly 70 years. I’ve been a member during all the capital fund drives we’ve had. Most of these drives were designed to make the Wayzata Com- munity Church bigger, able to support our growing membership. What I like especially about this capital fund drive is that it will result in a better, not a bigger, church. The key features are repairs and restoration where they are badly needed. And bet- ter accessibility for our many members. I’ve seen the plans and I like them. I’m writing this article for the January Beacon which goes to all members of our church. We need you to know that this campaign is beginning soon. We need and hope that you like the idea of a better church. The campaign goal is $8,200,000 – a major undertaking. We need a congregation that believes in this campaign. We will need large and small gifts to reach our goal. I hope you will think what this church means to you and your family. And that you will make a commitment you will be proud of. That’s what Kathleen and I will do. Please join us! To read more about the “Raise the Roof!” Capital Campaign, please see page 4. BY WHEELOCK WHITNEY
ReflectionsWhen J.R. asked me if my wife, Kathleen, and I would be Hon-orary Chairpersons of a capital funds drive for our church, I was hesitant. I told him that at 87, I’ve retired from fund raising. He asked me to think
about it before making a final decision. So I did. I remembered that I’ve had a long, satisfying, and happy relationship with the Wayzata Community Church. It began in 1945 when my parents moved from St. Cloud to Wayzata and joined the church. My sister, Sally, was married to George Pillsbury in January, 1947, in the original church which was across the street from where we are now. Everett Sorenson was the minister. My four children were baptized, went to Sunday school, and were confirmed in this church. I’ve been a Trustee and was once chairman for the Annual Giving Drive. I’ve known and been good friends with each of the five Senior Ministers who have served our church. I thought about my mother, how much she loved this church, and never missed a Sunday service. I thought about my four children growing up in this church. I thought about my wed-ding to Kathleen in this church. I thought about how PROUD I am of our church, how well it serves our members and the Wayzata community. I considered how much I appreciate the leadership of John Ross and the high quality of the staff he’s
assembled. I thought about how much I like the sermons and the music at our church. I told this all to Kathleen and she asked me how I could pos-sibly say “No”—and that she would be proud to join me. And guess what? I said “Yes” to J.R. and I’ve felt good about it ever since. This church has been my spiritual base for nearly 70 years. I’ve been a member during all the capital fund drives we’ve had. Most of these drives were designed to make the Wayzata Com-munity Church bigger, able to support our growing membership. What I like especially about this capital fund drive is that it will result in a better, not a bigger, church. The key features are repairs and restoration where they are badly needed. And bet-ter accessibility for our many members. I’ve seen the plans and I like them. I’m writing this article for the January Beacon which goes to all members of our church. We need you to know that this campaign is beginning soon. We need and hope that you like the idea of a better church. The campaign goal is $8,200,000 – a major undertaking. We need a congregation that believes in this campaign. We will need large and small gifts to reach our goal. I hope you will think what this church means to you and your family. And that you will make a commitment you will be proud of. That’s what Kathleen and I will do. Please join us!
To read more about the “Raise the Roof!” Capital Campaign, please see page 4.
BY WHEELOCK WHITNEY
Rima Torgerson
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The Beacon is published by Wayzata Community Church. Assigned articles, or story ideas, may be emailed to Cami Farley at [email protected]. Please call Robin Carlson at 952-473-8877, ext. 218 with address changes or if you would like to be removed from the Beacon mailing list. Upcoming dead-lines: 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 5 for the December 2013 issue.• Editor: Cami Farley, 952-473-8877, ext. 225; [email protected]• Design: Marnie Baehr, 952-473-8877, ext. 238; [email protected]
piphany is upon us. Traditionally celebrated on January 6, Epiphany celebrates the realization that Christ is the Son of God. When the Magi approached the baby
Jesus, new understandings came to them and to all about how Christ would be a messiah for the entire world. The term epiphany is also used to refer more generally to significant revelations or realizations, which can bring clarity and new directions. This time of Epiphany seems an appropriate opportunity to share with you some of the recent issues requiring discernment by our Church Council. It has been almost two years since our Church community collectively developed a vision for our Church to “inspire the world with the inclusive love of Jesus”. That vision is one of a church that is accessible in every way to every body. There is work to do for us to achieve this vision; it is necessary for us to remove the impediments that stand in our way.
Social BarriersFollowing the August 1, 2013 change to our Minnesota State law regarding same-sex marriages, we were faced with the question of how we would respond to a request to hold a same-sex wedding ceremony. The Church Council asked the Board of Deacons, the group of lay leaders with responsibility for the spiritual life of the Church, to consider the issue and make a recommendation. With good process and much discernment the Deacons presented the Church Council with the following:
Therefore, the Deacons of Wayzata Community Church recommend that our ministers use their judgment and discernment in marrying all people, continuing to affirm the importance of this spiritual commitment. It may also be beneficial to offer discussion and adult education classes on marriage.
This recommendation was thoughtfully and prayerfully considered by the Church Council, which took unanimous action to affirm this recommendation to the clergy. John Ross was asked to carry forward the directive to our other ministers and to work with them on their individual responses. It is an important distinction that this position allows the clergy to marry all people, it is not a statement about the collective beliefs of our congregation or our church. If you have any questions or thoughts you would like to share on this issue, Reverend John Ross or I would enjoy talking with you.
Physical BarriersTo reduce the barriers keeping people from knowing and following Jesus, we must make physical improvements to our existing campus. In November, the Church Council unanimously sanctioned the “Raise the Roof Campaign”, an $8.2 million capital improvement campaign that will: 1. Make essential repairs for restoration and long-term sustainability2. Improve accessibility onto and within our campus3. Renovate underutilized space for maximum utilization
Architects have been engaged to work with user teams to create the design drawings and discussions have begun with the City for approvals and permitting. If all goes well, the plan is to roll-out the campaign to the entire congregation in the late spring. There is much work to be done to get to that point. Your prayers and support for Dick and Lee Minors and their team are much appreciated.
May God’s light continue to guide us, and may He be with us all as together we encounter opportunities for seeking, revealing, and embarking in new directions. Happy New Year!
—Rima Torgerson
Happy New Year from your Moderator and your Church Council!
Make it private. ApparentlyJesustookeverychancehecouldgettobealone.Butofcourse,thatwasn’tverymuchtime.Thepointhereisthatthisworkofreflectionisbestdoneinprivate.“Afterhehaddismissedthem,hewentuponamountainsidebyhimselftopray.”(Matthew14:23NIV)
Make it a pattern. Inthe5thchapterofLuke’sgospelitisclearthattakingtimeawayfromtherigorsoflifebecameapatternforJesus.“ButJesusoftenwithdrewtolonelyplacesandprayed.”(Luke5:16,NIV)
Make it prayerful. Inmostinstances,Jesusdidn’tjustgoawaytonavelgaze.HeinvitedtheGodoftheuniverseintohisreflection,makingitmoreofaconversationthanamonologue.Hewentawaytopray.Don’tknowwheretobeginreflecting?StartbytalkingwithGod.
Make it a priority. Mark’sgospelbeginsbyshowingushowJesusbeganhisday.WetendFIRSTtothosethingsthatmattermosttous.“Veryearlyinthemorning,whileitwasstilldark,Jesusgotup,leftthehouseandwentofftoasolitaryplace,whereheprayed.”(Mark1:35,NIV)
Make it purposeful. FromthestartofJesus’storytotheverylastnightofhislife,Jesusspenttimereflectingsothatthepathforwardwouldbecomecleartohim.Whetherhewentontohealandteach…orwentouttodieasacrificialdeath,hisreflectionhadpurpose…somustours.
Remember: the life that awaits us is seen through the windshield.
Historic Italy, Through the Eyes of St. FrancisMay 13-May 23, 2014What better way to form life-long friendships, expand the mind, and en-gage in a spiritual encounter than trav-eling together? Wayzata Community Church is offering a travel opportunity to Italy in May 2014. Join John and Sheila Ross on this experience of historic Italy through the lens of Franciscan theology. Rome, Florence, and Asissi in the Umbria region, will frame the primary stops along the way. A rigorous itinerary will be balanced by 4-star accommo-dations and intentional efforts to build community within our travel team. Group size is limited. Download a Trip Itinerary at www.wayzatacommu-nitychurch.org/historicitaly. For more information, please contact Beverly Gores at [email protected] or call (952) 473-8877, ext. 212.
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Inspire the worldRaise the Roof!Three years ago, church leaders recognized the need for significant repairs. Take a look at our steeple to see that the need for restoration is painfully clear.
Our church leaders wisely realized, however, that basic repairs were not all we needed. Since our last capital building project in 2001, our ministry has evolved to include populations that don’t always find it easy to participate in the life of the church.
Older adults are one of the largest growing demographics in the coun-try, in our local area, and in our church. As we age, the ability to get around can become challenging. We don’t want things like steps and distant parking to keep our more mature members from coming to church. We will enhance our ministry as intergenerational when we make it easier for all ages to get to and around our church.
At the other end of the age spectrum are our youth. When the Center for Faith and Learning was built in 2001, we did not have much of a high school ministry. Our youth quit coming to church after confirma-tion. That is no longer the case! We have a thriving High School ministry that welcomes 75 youth each week. They meet in basement storage space. They need a home base and the church needs its storage room.
Parables is our special needs ministry with about 125 people. This com-munity, one of the most underserved by churches everywhere, helps us see even more clearly our need for improved access and flexible spaces.
True to our history and our vision to inspire the world with the inclusive love of Jesus, we now have the chance to restore our campus not only to make basic repairs, but to undertake renovations that better support our current and future ministries. The Raise the Roof! Campaign is our $8.2 million endeavor to meet these needs. With a successful cam-paign, we will:
• Repairandrestoreourbuildingwithmoresustainable,energy- efficient, and lower-maintenance materials.• Improveaccessibilityatthefrontentrance,eastentranceand throughout our building.• Betterutilizeourexistingspaceswithqualityremodels: • Topfloorconversiontoamoreopenfloorplanproviding flexible gathering space for High School Ministry. • Chapelrenovationthatmaintainsitasanintimate,sacredspace, but is slightly larger to improve accessibility and increase seating capacity and flexibility.
Look for more information in the coming months. We have always been an inclusive church. Now is the time to bring our campus in line with our history and vision.
Dick and Lee MinorsCo-Chairs, Capital Campaign Lead Team
Photos: Mike Andert, Morgan Chapman
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We Didn’t Have a Clue...IrememberstandinginthebackoftheSanctuaryonaTuesdayevening some 13 years ago. The Orono school district hadbroughtinaworldrenownedauthortospeakonparenting,andtheSanctuarywasPACKED.AtthatmomentmymemoryflashedbacktoouroldSanctuaryandthecongregationalmeetingswehadheld.Irememberedthehealthydebates—shouldwebuildanewSanctuaryorshouldwestayjustaswewere?Theywerecourageousconversations,andGod’svoicecametousaswethelistenedtoeachother.OverlookingtheseaofparentswhohadcometoourSanctuarytolearnnewparentingskills,Irealized,WEDIDN’THAVEACLUE.
ThentherewasthetimewehadafamousspeakeronRecoverycomeand tellhis story inour Sanctuary.WCCwasblessed tohostoneofthelargestAAmeetingseverheldinthearea.OurSanctuarywaswalltowallfilledwithrecoveringalcoholics.Idon’trememberthatroomeverlookingbetter.WEDIDN’THAVEACLUE.
When I read thewordsofourchurch’smissionstatement, “toactivelyextendawelcometoallpeople,embracingeachotherwithuncompromising compassion,” I also thinkofourChapelandhowithasbecomehometoourParablesfamily. It isnow“burstingattheseams”everySunday.
Withour faithstronger thanever, it is time for thecourageousconversationstobeginagain,forustoliveintothewordsofourmissionstatement.Althoughwemaynothaveacluewhatthefutureholds,wecanraisetheroof,makingcertainthatwewillbereadyforgenerationstocomeandallthatGodhasinstoreforWayzataCommunityChurch.
John Estrem, Director of Building & GroundsPhotos: Mike Andert, Morgan Chapman,Kristen Evans
Archives Committee, 9:30 a.m.Local Housing Task Force, 9:15 a.m.AA, 10 a.m.Communications Board, 6:30 p.m.Sound of Music Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.Chancel Choir Council Meeting, 7 p.m.Al Anon, 7:30 p.m.
Archives Committee, 9:30 a.m.AA, 10 a.m.Sound of Music Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.Music Board, 7 p.m.Al Anon, 7:30 p.m
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Generosity Board, 6 a.m.Finance Committee, 6:45 a.m.Nominating Committee, 6 p.m.Sound of Music Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.Church Council, 7 p.m.
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26 CAMP SUNDAYRev. Dr. John F. Ross preaching 8 a.m. Chapel (Communion)9 a.m. Celebrations Worship, Sanctuary10:10 a.m. Parables Worship Service, Chapel10:45 a.m. Traditions Worship, SanctuaryWorship at Meridian Manor, 1 p.m.Caritas Concert to Benefit COOL in the City, 3 p.m.
27 Archives Committee, 9:30 a.m.AA, 10 a.m.Sound of Music Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.Al Anon, 7:30 p.m
Steering Committee, 6 p.m.Mission & Outreach Board, 6:30 p.m.Sound of Music Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.Board of Deacons, 7 p.m.Children’s CE Board, 7 p.m.High School CE Board, 7 p.m.WCCNS Parent Organization Meeting, 7 p.m.
5 6 7Archives Committee, 9:30 a.m.AA, 10 a.m.Al Anon, 7:30 p.m.Sound of Music Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.
S3: Soup, Salad, and SongJoin Rev. Lindy Purdy for Soup, Salad and Song on January 15th! We meet the third Wednesday of every month—through May— at 12 noon in Mithun Hall for delicious homemade soups, salads, bread and dessert. Anyone “55 or Better” is invited to share in this free lunch, made possible by the committee and by those who wish to share their culinary skills with the group. Sign up at the Reception Desk or call 952-473-8877.
28 ThimbleBees,9a.m.Sound of Music Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.New Member Tour, 6:30 p.m.
COMING UP IN FEBRUARYSuper Bowl of Soul with J.D. Steele, Sunday February 2, 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. worshipCivic Orchestra of Minneapolis Concert: Sunday, February 9 at 3 p.m.
29 30ThimbleBees,9a.m.Sound of Music Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.New Member Tour, 6:30 p.m.
ALL WEDNESDAY PROGRAMSBible for Dummies, 7 a.m.Bridge Builders Bible Study, 9:00 a.m.Bible for Dummies, 10 a.m.AA, 10 a.m. Bible for Dummies, 4:30 p.m.Suppers, Etc., 5 p.m.Bible for Dummies, 7 p.m.Al Anon, 7:45 p.m.IMPACT High School Bible Study, 8:15 p.m.Bible for Dummies Nightshift, 9 p.m. (Red Rooster)
AA, 10 a.m. Super Bowl of Soul Choir Workshop, 6 p.m.Sound of Music Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.
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Saturday Seekers, 8 a.m.
WCCNS Classes ResumeAA, 10 a.m.Women’s Faith Bible Study, 10 a.m.Piper Library Committee, 11 a.m.Sound of Music Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.
New Year’s DayBuilding Closed
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Summer Camp ReflectionI first went to camp in the summer of 2011, and now it has be-come the highlight of my summer for the past three years. Of all of the camps I have been to, including a very popular and well known summer camp, our camp is by far the best, and none of them have topped it. When I got off the bus at camp the first year, I saw six kiddie pools. Half were filled with water, and the other half were filled with flour. As soon as we started throwing flour and water at each other, I knew that this would be a week I would never forget. In the three years that I have gone to WCC camp, I cannot remember one day when I wasn’t laughing my head off. But games and laughter were just the beginning of the best weeks ever. I have gotten to know so many amazing people through camp. Not just my friends that are my age, but also all of the counselors. All of the counselors at WCC camp are energetic, enthusiastic, and amazing people. Camp is so amazing that I was inspired to invite friends from outside our church to come, and they, like me, had a blast. All of the people and games at camp make it impossible to have a bad time. In addition, camp is a place where I can really connect with God. Every morning starts with a peaceful and quiet devotion time to be with God. All of the faith discussions that we have throughout the day are always related to the theme of the camp, whether it be pirates, the Olympics, or Survivor. Camp is getting better and better every year, and even now, in December, I am super excited for what will come this summer. I am sure that I will once again have the time of my life, as will everyone who comes to WCC summer camp 2014. —Cerilene Gessford, Middle School Student
Join Us for Camp Sunday, January 26!You are invited to share in the amazing, fun, faith-forming experiences at Summer Camp 2014. Plan now for the ses-sion you would prefer, spread the dates to your friends and family, and mark your calendars now to register on Camp Sunday, January 26th... with early bird discounts through February 1st! Check out the website for session dates and more information.
WCCNS ReflectionAuld Lang Syne. I’ve been singing those words every New Year’sEve since I can remember. It translates as “old long ago” or “the good old times.” Year’s end is a natural time to reflect. As I enter my 10th year of motherhood, more of those thoughts go to the lives of my children and how fast they have grown. This year, I got a head start on my thoughts of auld lang syne. I have a fourth grader, and at WCC, being a fourth grader is a big deal — it’s Bible time. Beginning in September, the fourth grade families spent seven Thursday evenings with Allen and Jodie for Stepping Stones. We talked, learned, explored the church, shared highs and lows, and came together as a community to celebrate this stage of our kids’ spiritual path. My daughter couldn’t wait for Thursday nights, when she could gather with her friends at church. Her closest friends at church are the friends she made in the Nursery School. These girls stayed connected with each other even after they graduated into the big world of kindergarten. I can still see a glimpse of the preschoolers they once were in their 9 & 10 year old faces when they laugh or share secrets. The Nursery School prepared my daughter and her friends for kindergarten. They were the beneficiaries of a strong curriculum and had their colors and letters down cold. But more importantly, they were the beneficiaries of a culture of caring, play, and fun. They started kindergarten knowing how to be part of a community. As the years pass, the girls have branched out — different activities, different teachers, different friends. But when they walk through the doors of WCC, they look for each other. They carry a sense of com-munity with them. I could tell the same story for me: my friendships with the “Nursery School moms” have continued to grow even though we are five years out from our kids being at WCCNS to-gether. Isn’t it amazing where life takes us? Our family enrolled in the Nursery School and ended up finding a church home. We joined WCC because we wanted to continue to enjoy and contribute to the nurturing community we found here. I have continued my in-volvement (or as my husband calls it, “my unwillingness to let go”) by serving on the Nursery School Operations Board. The Capital Campaign renovation plans call for moving the Nursery School of-fice to the entrance of the school, creating a warm, welcoming, and accessible entryway for our students and their families. We will also have the opportunity to enlarge classrooms and enhance the security throughout the school. I am blessed to have a front row seat to the start of something so big. Many more children will come through the doors of the Nursery School and make lifelong friends. Many more parents will look at them 5 years later and be so grate-ful that they found a home here. —Julie Close
Inspire the world
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS IN OUR OWN BACKyARDWCC HOUSING TASK FORCE
A big step toward strength and stabilityA year ago, Sharday Jackson didn’t want to admit she was in over her head and needed help. But the substandard apartment she lived in was condemned, and she and her two children, now 3 and 6, became homeless. Today she’s building on her strengths after one year in the Families Moving Forward Keys to Success program. After the eviction, Sharday and her children stayed temporarily with her mother, but sharing the one-bedroom apartment proved stressful for everyone. At that point Sharday found the courage to make the call to Families Moving Forward. “Coming here was a big step for me. I had never been in a shelter before,” she said. “This made me a stronger person. I had to be the grown up person and make grown up decisions.” Sharday moved quickly through the shelter program, staying just 28 days before enrolling in our new Keys to Success program. Thanks to private contributions raised each year supplementing a transitional housing grant, we are able to provide rental assistance and supportive services to help working parents move into housing quickly. Sharday earns $12 an hour as a part-time receptionist at a downtown social service agency. The family lives in a south Minneapolis neighborhood convenient to her workplace and her first grader’s elementary school. Sharday says learning money responsibility— such as postponing impulse buys like new shoes—is her personal key to success. She’s asked to enroll in FMF housing advocate Sakinah Mujahid’s financial literacy class, a new offering for shelter guests and former guests. “It will help me document where my money is going and prepare me so when the Keys program does end, I will know how to save,” Sharday says. “Without Families Moving Forward, I think I’d probably still be struggling to pay my bills. Maybe we’d even be homeless again, or living somewhere not up to par. Now I can live how I’m supposed to live.”
The WCC Housing Task Force and Families Moving Forward are in partnership with Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative. Read more at www.beaconinterfaith.org.
Harbor Light: Blankets, Blankets, and More Blankets! Last winter we took on a challenge to beat the cold weather and help the Salvation Army Harbor Light by providing over 400 blankets to those who don’t have a place to call a home. This year the increase in homelessness in the Twin Cities is staggering. More than ever, Harbor Light needs our support to help provide twin-sized washable and durable blankets (polyester-blend are the best) to help keep people warm who have to sleep on mats on the floor due to overcrowding. YOU CAN HELP! We will be taking donations of new and gently-used twin-sized blankets at WCC during the month of January. We will have stations at each entrance with signs showing the location to leave the blankets. NOTE: Please put your blanket into a bag so that it stays clean and folded. Last year one kind individual donated 100 blankets, along with a $1000 monetary donation. This year, that same donor will MATCH our donations! Help make a difference in someone’s life by keeping them warm with a blanket. Questions? Contact Lou Vlahos, Director Mission and Communications ([email protected]) at 952-473-8877, ext. 262.
Salvation Army Harbor Light is a WCC mission & outreach partner. Read more at www.salvationarmynorth.org/community/harbor-light.
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Inspire the worldCELEBRATIONSBirths• RolandJamesKidwell,sonofMikeandJuliaKidwellandgrandsonof James and Mary Meyer, November 8, 2013.• KnoxFrederickNibbe,sonofJulieandC.J.Nibbe,grandsonofJaneand Dick Nibbe, November 22, 2013,• RyahColemanChalmers,daughterofAnnaSeibertandAlexChalmers, granddaughter of Sandy and Bill Seibert, December 6, 2013.
Condolences• AndreaArabanos,wife,andLexandra,CharlesandCallahanCreech, children, on the death of husband and father Jim Arabanos, November 21, 2013.• TomSchoenonthedeathofhismother-in-law,VivianSheehan,on December 4, 2013.• FamilyandfriendsofRagnarTiller,December5,2013.• NancyMeisteronthedeathofherbrother,DonaldEarlBacon,December 12, 2013.• FamilyandfriendsofJakeAnderson,sonofChristieandBillAndersonof Orono, on December 15, 2013.
The West Suburban Grief Coalition meets at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth every Thursday from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. through February 27, 2014. All are welcome.
The Alzheimer’s Support Group meets in the WCC Community Room the second Wednesday of every month from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Contact Rev. Frank Bennett.
Music at Wayzata ConcertsMINNESOTA BACH ENSEMBLESunday, January 12 • 3 p.m. in the SanctuaryThe Minnesota Bach Ensemble creates emotionally charged experiences for its audiences, sourcing Johann Sebastian Bach for the core of its repertoire. Comprised of members of Minnesota’s most prestigious orches-tras, along with vocal virtuosi, this ensemble is born of a shared passion for excellence in the performance of orchestral and vocal music that is visceral, energetic, in-formed, and fearless. The concert is free.
WAYZATA COMMUNITY CHURCH CHANCEL CHOIR SECTION LEADERSWinter Cabaret: Hot Music for a Cold Day! Sunday, January 19 • 3 p.m. in Founders HallThe Chancel Choir section leaders collaborate to sing some very un-Chancel-like music— art songs by Schubert and Mendelssohn; opera scenes by Mozart and Verdi; and cabaret music of Weill, Gershwin and Por-ter— served up in a cabaret setting. The concert is free.
CARITAS VOCAL ENSEMBLEBenefit Concert for COOL in the CitySunday, January 26 • 3 p.m.Caritas Vocal Ensemble is a nonprofit group of cho-rale singers with a mission. Formerly known as Sacred Voice, the ensemble performed its first season in Spring 2002 with the express purpose of raising money and awareness for people in need. Eighty five percent of the proceeds from the group’s concerts are given to other non-profits to help fund their provision of basic human services. Since its inception, the group has raised over $120,000 for diverse, local charitable organizations. Car-itas’ audiences are treated to a concert of delightful a capella chorale music performed by a mixed group of experienced singers. Sacred and secular, traditional, con-temporary and culturally diverse, Caritas has something for everyone!
Allen Hilton
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Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton is Minister for Faith & Learning
Well, so that is that. Now we must dismantle the tree,Putting the decorations back into their cardboard boxes —Some have got broken — and carrying them up to the attic.The holly and the mistletoe must be taken down and burnt,And the children got ready for school. There are enoughLeft-overs to do, warmed-up, for the rest of the week —Not that we have much appetite, having drunk such a lot,Stayed up so late, attempted — quite unsuccessfully —To love all of our relatives, and in generalGrossly overestimated our powers. Once againAs in previous years we have seen the actual Vision and failedTo do more than entertain it as an agreeablePossibility, once again we have sent Him away,Begging though to remain His disobedient servant,The promising child who cannot keep His word for long.The Christmas Feast is already a fading memory,And already the mind begins to be vaguely awareOf an unpleasant whiff of apprehension at the thoughtOf Lent and Good Friday which cannot, after all, nowBe very far off. But, for the time being, here we all are,Back in the moderate Aristotelian cityOf darning and the Eight-Fifteen, where Euclid’s geometryAnd Newton’s mechanics would account for our experience,And the kitchen table exists because I scrub it.It seems to have shrunk during the holidays. The streetsAre much narrower than we remembered; we had forgottenThe office was as depressing as this. To those who have seenThe Child, however dimly, however incredulously,The Time Being is, in a sense, the most trying time of all.For the innocent children who whispered so excitedlyOutside the locked door where they knew the presents to beGrew up when it opened. Now, recollecting that momentWe can repress the joy, but the guilt remains conscious;Remembering the stable where for once in our livesEverything became a You and nothing was an It.And craving the sensation but ignoring the cause,We look round for something, no matter what, to inhibitOur self-reflection, and the obvious thing for that purposeWould be some great suffering. So, once we have met the Son,We are tempted ever after to pray to the Father;“Lead us into temptation and evil for our sake.”They will come, all right, don’t worry; probably in a formThat we do not expect, and certainly with a forceMore dreadful than we can imagine. In the meantimeThere are bills to be paid, machines to keep in repair,Irregular verbs to learn, the Time Being to redeemFrom insignificance. The happy morning is over,The night of agony still to come; the time is noon:When the Spirit must practice his scales of rejoicingWithout even a hostile audience, and the Soul endureA silence that is neither for nor against her faithThat God’s Will will be done, That, in spite of her prayers,God will cheat no one, not even the world of its triumph.
Allen Hilton
For the Time Being: A Christmas Oratorio
W.H. Auden
WAYZATA COMMUNITY CHURCHinspire the world
Wayzata Community Church Ministry TeamsRev. Dr. John F. Ross, Senior MinisterBeverly Gores, Executive Assistant to Dr. Ross
MODERATORRima TorgersonPASTORAL CARE TEAMRev. S. Lindy Purdy, Pastoral CareRev. Kristen Rouner Jeide, Spiritual Life Rev. Frank Bennett, Minister at LargeRev. Leslie Neugent, Minister at LargeGeri Carlson, Funeral Coordinator Cami Farley, ColumbariumMISSION & COMMUNICATIONS TEAMLou Vlahos, Director of Mission & Communication Marnie Baehr, Print/Web Graphic DesignCami Farley, Print, Events, Beacon Editor Bill Boulware, Rummage Sale Ministries
EDUCATION TEAMRev. Dr. Allen R. Hilton, Faith & LearningRev. Bruce Hesse, M. Div. Gabe & Hilary Flynn, High School MinistryChrista Bowman, Middle School MinistryJodie Nyberg, Children’s MinistryShana Shurson, Early Childhood MinistryKathy Handy
MUSIC TEAMTom Paulson, DirectorDr. Diana Lee Lucker, Organist/Music SeriesAutumn Toussaint, Children’s Choirs & TapestryNeal Nordstrom, Bell Choirs
BUSINESS TEAMScott Woolery, Director of OperationsJohn Estrem, Director of Building & GroundsLiz Hilton, Generosity DirectorKris Erdahl, WC-Connect CoordinatorTereasa Nies, AccountantRobin Carlson, ContributionsAshleigh Kreider, Administrative Assistant
WCC NURSERY SCHOOLSara Luedke, DirectorWendy Olson, Assistant Director
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ProphetabilityBY ALLEN HILTON
Israel’s prophets would have been YouTube sen-sations. They weren’t the kind of people you invite to dinner parties. Isaiah walked around Jerusalem naked and barefoot for three years. Jeremiah hid his underwear under a rock. Eze-kiel baked bread on cow dung, ate a scroll, and preached to a graveyard. Hosea married a pros-titute and named their baby “unloved.” When Jonah’s preaching finally won over the congre-gation, he sat and sulked miserably outside of town.
The prophets of our time don’t seem nearly so strange, do they? Nelson Mandela and Des-mond Tutu in South Africa, Gandhi and Mother
Teresa in India, the Dalai Lama in Tibet, Martin Luther King, Jr. in the U.S. – these people are revered, right? But that’s because we forget the early times when they were imprisoned or ridiculed or exiled or just ignored because of their weird choices and weirder ideas. These characters lived against the grain of their cultures and risked their lives because they challenged us. So who will be the next prophets among us? I guarantee you that they look crazy now. The chief marker of “prophet-ability” is a profound willingness to be strange among us – to live in a new world that still looks alien in the present. To “have a dream” that no one else has yet and put up with the consequences of refusing to give up on it. Pleasers need not apply. Let’s read Israel’s prophets, friends, so you and I can learn to recognize the crazy, brilliant prophets among us and, God forbid, to live out our own brand of holy folly as we anticipate a just future that only God knows.
